The national referendum, which could take place simultaneously with the presidential election, must include the confirmation of the inviolability of Moldova’s neutrality status. Such a request was addressed by the leader of the Moldova Platform Irina Vlah to the Parliament and the head of state. Although she considers the referendum is a PR action, which has nothing to do with the vote on accession to the European Union, Irina Vlah understands that it will be held anyway as the government has a parliamentary majority.

“Although Sandu’s initiative is meaningless in terms of real rapprochement with the EU, we, as realists, understand that the referendum will be organized anyway. Having the voting machine with 63 PAS MPs, the President has already amended the electoral legislation in this regard,” Irina Vlah told a press conference hosted by IPN.

Under the circumstances, the Moldova Platform proposes to efficiently and usefully use the budgetary resources for the state. Irina Vlah argues that this referendum should provide answers to the real questions that concern the citizens of the Republic of Moldova today, to real problems and concerns. In her opinion, the first of these questions refers to the constitutional status of permanent neutrality of the Republic of Moldova.

“Given the geopolitical confrontation and the war in the neighboring state, debates on this strategic topic are more topical than ever. Moreover, the Sandu-PAS Government has made it clear for several times that it supports the revision of the principles of Article 11 of the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova, because, in the authorities’ viewpoint, they no longer reflect the political reality. I want to place special emphasis here. Moldova is a small country and we are at the crossroads of spheres of geopolitical influence. Therefore, neutrality has always been and should remain one of the core values of our state. Neutrality for us is a factor of stability, peace and independence,” said the leader of the Moldova Platform.

Irina Vlah considers that, unfortunately, the authorities question the value of Moldova’s neutrality both by their rhetoric and by their actions. Military spending this year will approach two billion lei, increasing almost twofold in two years. “The current government has repeatedly spoken out in favor of Moldova’s accession to NATO. With the ongoing fighting at the border, the country’s leaders are playing with fire. In this connection, the expression of national will on the inviolability of the neutrality status will allow to prevent the reckless steps of the President and PAS and to definitively close the issue of our country’s participation in military blocs and coalitions,” said Irina Vlah.

“In this regard, we ask the Parliament and the President of the Republic of Moldova to include the confirmation of the inviolability of the neutrality status of our country in the announced national referendum.”

Note: IPN Agency offers the right of reply to persons who consider they were targeted in the news made from statements of the organizers of this press conference, including by facilitating the organization of another news conference under similar conditions.